Marketplace revives vacant store

POOL Together, a hip, contemporary marketplace, is breathing new life into an empty, stand-alone big-box store once occupied by Mervyns.

The concept, which developers expect to be 60 percent occupied by its July 4 soft opening, is an example of how big-box recession casualties can be not only transformed, but can transform a neighborhood.

The development, at the northeastern corner of Stapley Drive and Main Street, even received a recent nod in the Wall Street Journal, which described it as a hybrid incubator for startups, and said it is part of a growing nationwide trend as entrepreneurs respond to high unemployment and look for ways to reinvest into the community.

Gayle Levine of GRL Mesa Developments LLC, a Los Angeles investor, owns the building, which was built in the 1970s as a W.T. Grant department store and later a Mervyns.

Brad Weinstock, a real-estate developer, and Skyler Hynes, a retail and business consultant, are charged with converting the building, which had been vacant since Mervyns filed bankruptcy a year ago.

Already, Hynes has several retail tenants that are opening, and he is continuing to build out spaces for other tenants that have recently signed on.

The developers of the $3 million project expect to have more than 40 percent of the marketplace complete by the summer, said Hynes, chief operating officer of POOL Together.

He plans to have 60 percent of the marketplace occupied by July 4, with most of it filled by the end of the year, he said.

One of the first merchants to open was veteran florist Aspen Renee of Aspen Renee Flower Boutique, who occupies 400 square feet. Customers can watch her design floral arrangements for wedding and business activities, and shoppers will be able to choose from an assortment of flowers to take home.

"I'm a big believer in this," said Renee, who had operated her business out of her Mesa home. She said she likes that it will allow new customers to see her work. Renee said she averages from 30 to 40 repeat clients annually.

Josh Krize, 26, of Mesa, has dreamed of owning a coffee shop, and is working on it at East Main Street Café. Krize responded to a newspaper ad to be an operator for a coffee shop, but got more than what he asked for.

The trendy open-air coffee bar greets you at the west entrance door. Phoenix-based Royal Coffee Bar was supposed to open in the space and did most of the work, but then pulled out while its owners focused on other locations.

Hynes offered Krize the job and an opportunity to buy the business in the future.

Krize, who operates the shop as a manager, already has a loyal customer base.

Krize said family, friends and his church pastor stop by. He offers homemade pastries, Italian sodas and coffee specialty drinks. A favorite is the Black Velvet, a mocha and white chocolate coffee beverage.

"I grew up in this area of Mesa. My mother-in-law lives down the street. I always made coffee for my mom and grandma," said Krize, who left his job with Wells Fargo as a personal banker. "I saw it as an opportunity to start my own business."

The marketplace is expected to house 100 merchants, a specialty restaurant and a farmers market. For now, it totals 41,000 square feet with an additional 49,000 square feet available for expansion.